Fan guard



March 28, 1944.

M. WEBER FAN GUARD Filed Nov. 4, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 warm 1 3 Max Wh;

March 28, 1944.

M. WEBER FAN GUARD Filed Nov. 4, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 28, 1944.WEBER 2,345,516

March 28, 1944.

M. WEBER 2,345,516

, FAN GUARD Filed Nov. 4, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Max Vl/zer March 28,1944.

M. WEBER FAN GUARD Filed NOV. 4, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 'fi 7;- 2/5. Ma/ xVl ar Patented Mar. 28, 1944 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FAN GUARD MaxWeber, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 4, 1942, Serial No. 464,471

8 Claims.

This invention relates to fan structures designed for circulating air.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved guard and mountingfor the same, the uard entirely enclosing the fan and motor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a guard which may beformed out of complementary portions which may be stamped out of sheetmetal or formed out of plastic material.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guard which willreduce the efficiency loss now present in guards at present available.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guard which may besubstantially square in front elevation, the guard being pivotallymounted ona base to permit angular adjustment of the guard and fanthrough 360.

A further object of this invention is to provide in combination a fanstructure including a motor and a fan blade, a box-like skeleton guardencompassing the fan structure, and a pivotal munt.. ing for the guard.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guard including amotor suspension for suspending th motor centrally within the guard, asupporting frame of rectangular configuration which is adapted todissipate any vibrations which may develop from the fan blades, and asupporting base on which the frame is pivotally mounted, the base beingU-shaped in front elevation and V-shaped in end elevation and forming afirm foundation for the fan structure.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, theinvention consists of the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to andillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodimentsof the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variationsand'modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of theinvention, as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail front elevation of a fan guard constructedaccording to an embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is a detail end elevation of the guard;

, gether.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line Figure 7 is a sectionalview taken on the line 1-1 of Figure'l;

Figure 8 is a detail front elevation of a modifled form of thisinvention;

Figure 9 is a detail end elevation of the form shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line ill-l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner of the guardstructure shown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 4, the numeral I5designates generally a supporting frame structure which is substantiallysquare in front elevation. The frame structure [5 includes a bottom barIS, a pair of end bars I! and I8 and atop bar IS. The bars Hi to I9inclusive are preferably constructed from a single length of bar whichis flat and bent to the configuration shown, with the opposite endsthereof welded to- The frame structure l5 has secured thereto a pair ofupper fan motor supporting braces or bars 20 and 2| which are disposedin upwardly divergent relation. The bar 20 has an obtusely bent upperend portion 22 which is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the upperend portion of the upright frame member l1, and the supporting bar 2|has an obtusely disposed upper end portion 23 which is secured to theupper inner portion of the frame member iii. The in ner or lower end ofthe supporting member 20 is twisted, as at 24, and is then bentangularly as at 25 to form a lug to which the motor 26 is adapted to besecured.

The inner lower end of the supporting member 2| is also twisted rightangularly, as at 21, and is then bent at a right angle to the twistedportion 21, as at 28, and the motor 26 is adapted to be secured to thelug or right angular portion 28. The upright motor supporting bar 29 isdisposed within the frame l5, being provided with a right angular lowerend portion 30 which is adapted to be welded or otherwise fixed to thecenter of the lower frame member IS. The upright supporting member 29 istwisted, as at 3|, and then bent right angularly as'at 32 in a mannersimilar to the bending of the supporting lugs 25 and 28 to provide asupporting lug for attachment to the motor 26.

The frame I 5 is adjustably mounted on a supporting base structure,generally designated as 33. The base 33 comprises a pair of Ushapedframe members 34 and 35 which are disposed bars 59 and 6i.

with the parallel legs 39 and 51 respectively in upwardly convergentrelation and secured together at their upper convergent ends. The U-shaped member 54 has the bight 38 thereof horizontal and provided withone or more supporting or cushioning feet 39. The U-shaped member 35 hasthe bight 59 thereof horizontal. and also has secured to the lower sidethereof one or more cushioning feet 4|. The frame l5 has secured to theupright frame ,members I! and I8 thereof, a pairof nuts 42 and 43 and apair of threaded bolts 44 and'45 are adapted to be threaded into thenuts 42 and 43, the bolts 44- and 55 being fixed relative to a pair ofknobs t5 and 47 respectively.

The bolts 45 and G5 are adapted to be ex-. tended through openings 48formed in the upright frame members ll andj l 8; a nd a pair of.

washer 29 and 5B are interposed between the base structure 33 and theouter sides of the frame members IT and l8. The washer-50 is preferablyof the locking type to provide for locking of the base structure 33 withrespect to the frame structure [5 whenthe bolts M and:

E5 are tightenedto the desired degree. One or more addit ional washers5| and; 5 2; may also be interposed between the inner ends of the knobs45 and El, a shown in Figure 5, to provide for the desired tightening ofthe two framemembers i5 and 53 without rotation of the frame member i5when theknobsddand t? aretightened. f

' The frame structure I5 is enclosed in a skeleton-like guard structureformed of a pair of complementary guard members'53 and 54. Theguardfmembers'53 and 54 are of, like constructionsanda detaildescriptionof one of these. guard members will apply, equally as well .to theother) guard member. The guard member 53 comprises a, front wall 55,atop wall 55 and a bottom wall 51. The. front wall 55 is formed ofapair. of outer bars .58.and 59 and a pair ofinner bars 50 and 6|.'Ihe'bars 58, 59, 59.

and El are parallel witheach other and, as

will befihereinafter described, are formed froma single piece.;of sheetmetal'which is stamped, or otherwise suitably formed to providethe de-.

sired skeletohelike' guard structure; The two frame members 58 and 50areconnected together by means of, a plurality of parallel connect- 18ends ,thereof, as'at 53,. so that the connecting bars52,Which.'are.twisted at the opposite member 62. will be disposed atfaright-angle to a the O posite faces of the bars 58 and 59.

The bars 59 .and .9! .are connected together by means of a plurality ofparallel connecting bars 9 3 which are twisted at the opposite endsthereof, as at 55, so as to dispose the connecting bars (is at rightangles to the opposite faces of the The inner pair of bars 60 and GI areconnected together by means of a plurality of connectingbars which aretwisted at the opposite ends thereof, as at 61, so as to dispose theintermediate connecting bars 55 at right angles @to the opposite facesof the inner pair of bars Edand 5!. The top and bottom walls 59 and 5'!are formed identical with the front.

walL: as above stated, is identical with theupper.

wall, and has connecting bars 13, 1d and 15 connecting the extensionsl6, l1, l8 and 19 of the lower ends of the bars 58, 59, 59 and GIrespectively.

The frame 55 has secured to the upper bar l9 thereof, a handle 85 whichhas a pair of right angularly disposed member 8! secured thereto betweenthe ends thereof, and the members 81 are secured by fastening means 82to the upper bar. 19. The members 8| oifsetthe handle from the framemember 19 and the two guard members 53 and 5 3 are provided withcut-outs 83, between which the handle offset members 8| are adapted toengage. The two guard members 53 and 55, also include opposite end walls84. and 85 which are of like construction.

The Wall 84 is formed of an outer bar 85, an inner bar 81, upper andlower connecting bars 88 and 89 respectively, and an intermediateconnecting bar 99. The outer bar 85 overlaps the adjacent outer sidebar, such as. bar 58, and is adapted to be welded or otherwise fixedlysecured thereto. Theupper bar 83 is connected to the intermediate bar 50bya plurality of right angularly disposed bars .or vanes,9lwhich aretwisted asat. 92 at the. opposite ends thereof, to dispose the bars orvanes. 9i. at right angles to. the opposite sides of the bars. wand 90.

bar 99 by a pluralityof spaced apart parallel bars 93 which are twisted,as at 95, at the; 0pm. site ends thereof, to dispose the bars orvanes93- at right angles to the opposite faces-of the bars 89 and 95. A pairof inner aligned bars are and 93a have adjacent portions 95 and 96thereof disposed flatwise with respect to the inner bar.

9'7 so that the flat portions 95and 95 may.be

disposed between the large inner washer 49 and v the adjacent'uprightframe members? Hand l8.v The end wall 8 3 alsoincludes a plurality of.

upwardly extending fiatwise disposed bars- 91.

- inner sideof the upper frame member69 and. secured as bywelding orvother suitable fastening means, thereto.

Av plurality of lower fiat'wise disposedend. wall members 99 extendingdownwardly. from the.

lower bar 89: and are provided at their lower ends. with rightangularly-disposed extensions, lfill which engage the inner sides of-thelower.

guard members. 75 and i1 and are welded or otherwise fixedlyvsecuredthereto.

The complementary guard members. 53 ,and;

54 are detachably secured to thenfram e. l5 by} means of a plurality ofU-shaped clamping members, shown in greater detail in-Figure 6.. ScrewsI62 are extended] through the. bight I93 of the clamping members. I92,and the opposite. parallel legs IM- of thea and designated It i.

U-shaped members If engage over the bars 8'! of the end wallmembersiitand, 85-.and also are secured to the upper and'lowerwalls ofthe guard members in a similar manner tethereby fixedly secure the guardmembers 53 and to theframe I5. The guardmembers 53 and are of sucha'sizeas to completely enclose orescompass the motor 25 and also theianblades;

I95 which are rotated by the motor-2 5.l The guard structure and frameare of such a; size.

that the entire structure may, be rotated with respect to the base 33 atany angle with respect-. v

to the. latter, this adjustment being obtained throughout 360.

The, lower bar 89 is connected to the intermediate.-

. members I40.

Where it is desired to support the 'guardstruc ture with the fan on astandard, the two U- shaped members 34 and 35 may be connected togetherby means of an intermediate connecting bar I06 which isformed with acentral opening I01 for receiving a bolt or other securing;

means.

.Referring now to Figures 8 to 12 inclusive, the numerals I08 and I09designate complementary guard members which are formed outof plasticmaterial. The guard members I08 and I09 are adapted to be secured to theframestructure I I which is square in front elevation, and is adjustablymounted on a supporting base structure III similar in every detail tothe base structure 33. The frame structure H0 has secured thereinaligned pairs of supporting bars H2 and H3 which are disposed in closerelation and are secured at their inner ends to a forwardly openingmotor housing H4. The motor housing H4 is provided with a rear end wallI I5, and the stator H6 of the motor is adapted to be secured byfastening bolts II'I within the housing H4. Bearing supporting membersH8 are mounted on the bolts HI for supporting bearings H9 and a motorshaft I20 is rotatable in the bearings H9, the shaft I20 having securedthereto the rotor I2I of the motor.

The guard members I08 and I09 are of like construction and each includesan outer side wall I22, and opposite end walls I23. The side wall I22 isformed of a pair of outer side bars I24 and I25 which are connectedtogether by means of a plurality of parallel edgewise disposed vanes orconnecting members I26. Intermediate parallel bars I21 and I28 aredisposed in parallel relation to the upper bars I24 and I25 and areformed integral with the intermediate portions of the connecting barsI26. The bars I26 are disposed in edgewise relation with respect to thepassage of air there-between so that these connecting bars I26 willprovide the minimum obstruction to the passage of air.

The end walls I23 include vertically disposed bars I28 disposed inparallel relation and are connected at the opposite ends thereof toupper and lower bars I29 and I30. The upper and lower bars I29 and I30are formed integral with the side bars I24 and I25 and intermediateconnecting bars I3I, I32 and I33 are connected to the vertical bars I28,to the side bars I24 and I 25 and also an inner bar I34. The guard I08also includes a top wall structure I35, similar to the front wallstructure I22, and the top wall structure I35 also includes an inner barI36 adapted to rest on the upper frame bar of the frame H0. The lowerwall I31 also includes a lower inner bar I38 which engages the lowerhorizontal portion of the frame H0. The inner portions of the guards I08and I09 are detachably secured to the frame I I0 by means of U- shapedclamping members I39 which are similar in every detail to the clampingmembers IOI and are secured to the frame III) by fastening The frame H0has secured to the upper portion thereof, a handle I4I, similar to thehandle 80, and the upper wall I35 of each guard is formed with a cut-outI42 through which the handle I4I projects.

In the use and operation of this fan guard structure, the fan motor 26,with the fan blades I05, are secured by suitable fastening means to thesupporting members 20, 2| and 29 so as to suspend the fan structurewithin the frame I5. The guards 53 and 54 are clamped to the frame I bythe U-shaped clamping members ml, the guards completely encompassing themotor and fan blade structure. The guard structure, as hereinbeforedescribed, is so constructed that the air currents entering from therear, the ends and the top and bottom thereof, will not be impeded andthe front wall of the guard structure is also of such construction asnot to impede the forward movement of the air forced out of the guardstructure by the fan blades. The guard structure, being pivotallymounted on the base 33, can be adjusted on the pivot bolts 44 and 45 toany selected angle, and the base structure may either be mounted on ahorizontal support or, if desired,

the base structure may be secured to a vertical support by fasteningmeans engaging through the base structure. The complete enclosing of thefan structure prevents any accidental contact with the fan blades sothat no injury may result during the rotation of the fan blades, theguard structure being so constructed as to prevent the projection offingers or other objects between the grill-like structure comprising theguards.

Where the guard structure is made out of metal, the guards may bestamped from sheet metal with the vanes, or air directing members,twisted as shown. In the event the guard structure is made out ofplastic material the air directing vanes, with the other portions of theguards, may be molded as an integral unit. With a plastic guardstructure, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the motor is inserted in themotor housing, which is formed as an integral part of the supportingframe. This construction eliminates the securing of the conventionalmotor within the guard structure.

I claim:

1. A fan support and guard comprising in combination, a polygonal frame,a base for said frame, said base comprising a pair of U-shaped membersfixed together, said members having the bights thereof parallel andspaced apart, the parallel legs of said members forming a V, and a pairof complementary guards secured to said frame.

2. A fan guard and support comprising a polygonal frame, a base formedof a pair of U-shaped members having the parallel legs thereof inclinedinwardly and upwardly, means pivotally supporting said frame between thelegs of said base, a fan supporting means fixed to said frame, a pair ofcomplementary guard members, and means detachably securing said guardmembers to said frame.

3. A fan guard and support comprising a polygonal frame, a. base formedof a pair of U-shaped members having the parallel legs thereof inclinedinwardly and upwardly, means pivotally supporting said frame between thelegs of said base, a fan supporting means fixed to said frame, a pair ofcomplementary guard members, and means detachably securing said guardmembers to said frame, said latter means including U-shaped clampingmembers.

4. A fan guard and support comprising a polygonal frame, a base formedof a pair of U-shaped members having the parallel legs thereof inclinedinwardly and upwardly, means pivotally supporting said frame between thelegs of said base, a plurality of radially arranged fan supportingmembers fixed within said frame, a pair of complementary guard members,and means detachably securing said guard members to said frame.

5. A-fan guard and support comprising a base,

intermediate parallel-bars disposed at right: angles to saidiinner andouter bars, said-intermediate bars being disposedwith the flat faces atright angles to the flat faces of said inner and' outer bars.

6. In" combination, a polygonal frame, a fan guard isecuredto andenclosing said frame, .a base, means:pivotally securingsaid frametosaicl'ba'se;

a fan :motor housin within said frame: compris- 15 ing acylindrical'bodma rear Weill-integral with said body, and radiallyarranged suspension m'eansintegral with saidho'using and said frame.

7; A ian supportand'guarducomprising in com- 1 bination',-a frame;abase-iorsai'd'frame, saidba'se" comprising apair of U-shaped membershaving the legs thereof in substantially upright position, meanspivotally supporting sai'd framebetwe'en the legs-of said base, and aguard structure-- secured to said frame;

'83 The st'ructure'as set'forth -in claim 1 whereinthe parallel legs ofsaid U-shaped-members extend upwardly and are'fiXed-relati-ve to eachother at their upper ends.

WEBER.

